re: 17 yr old cat

Question
Hello, Karen,I appreciate you for taking my question.  My cat, Bozena, is about 17 and may be older cause I don't know how old she was when she adopted me 15 years ago.  She is a beautiful tortoiseshell short haired kitty and has lived with access to the out doors however recently she is happy to sit in the open door and look out.

My concern is her physical limitation.  It's harder for her to jump up onto the sofa or bed.  She limps with arthritis in her right elbow and her back leg muscles have gotten smaller due to lack of exercise.  She plays with the string laying down now instead of running and jumping for it.  She hasn't been licking her fur as much especially under her chin. I brush her fur and she loves it on her head but not on her back legs; they hurt I think.

Her appetite is good and toilet activity is good.  Poops once a day and pees 3-6 times during the night.  During a 24 hour period she will sometimes drink about 1 cup of water.  I've been told to watch for kidney failure but don't know what I'm looking for really.


She is my significant other.  I live alone except for her but I daily know that she is toward the end of her life.  I spend most days home with her since I don't work, but she has done OK with my 2 night visits to see my daughter out of town. Since she is a little sad looking sometimes I hate to leave her.

Is there something she could take to ease the pain from arthritis that she most feel?  Is her water consumption indicative of kidney disease?

Thanks Again, Karen

Answer
Hi Karen,

I am giving you a link to an article that has some very good info on taking care of your old lady. Her water consumption is very good. Get a lower sided litter box to help her out. Also a set or two of pet stairs will also help her out to get up on the sofa. Do not let her out anymore. In her condition she can be killed very easy outside now. Try giving her Felovite. It's a cat vitamin that will help. Here's the link;

http://www.2ndchance.info/oldcat.htm

Cats can live for a long time now. My sister had her two who lived to 27 years old. Doing these things and what's in the article can add to her life and the quality of it. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen